The Mousetrap Celebrates 60 Years in the West End

Wednesday, 21st Nov 2012

Began Life at the Ambassador’s Theatre in 1951 Before Transferring to St Martin’s Theatre in 1973

“The Mousetrap” is set to enter the spotlight this month as it celebrates its 60th birthday in the West End. The show has been the longest running production in the world for a long time and each passing year it hits a new milestone with no end in sight. Now, after six decades in the capital, a range of stars – including Sir Patrick Stewart, Tamsin Greig, Hugh Bonneville and Julie Walters, among others - will turn out for a special reading of the show at St Martin’s Theatre.

“The Mousetrap” is a play that was penned by Agatha Christie and anyone that is familiar with her work as the author of the Poirot or Miss Marple books will have an idea of what they’re in for. On a winter’s night the residents of a large hotel, formerly a manor house, are shocked to discover that a murder has taken place locally and that one of them is the suspect. For years the secrets of the story have been kept under wraps, with audiences urged not to spoil it to anyone, and this has allowed it to remain shocking for those with theatre tickets for many decades.

It opened at the Ambassador’s Theatre originally, with a run there lasting from 1952 to 1973 and then it transferred to its current home of St Martin’s Theatre. This means that it has been running for longer than any other show, beating the longest running musical – “Les Misérables” – by three decades. The show also has no end-date in sight and this means that there is no reason that it won’t remain in the spotlight and continue to appear in front of audiences for more decades to come.

The sold-out 60th birthday performance is this Sunday (18th Nov) at the venue’s ongoing home and, in addition to the mentioned guests, the performance will also include Harry Lloyd, Iain Glen, Miranda Hart and Nicholas Farrell.

Meanwhile, “The Mousetrap” is currently taking bookings at St Martin’s Theatre for performances up to Saturday 15th December 2012.